Quen Blackwell Will Always be Famous: the Vine Comedian on Absurdity, Acting and Having a Laugh
Whether you know Quen Blackwell from her hall of fame Vine videos often featured in the Vine compilation videos of yore, her TikToks of a similar comedic vein or her domination of every other corner of the internet, the point is that you know who Quenlin is on sight. As the web took the turn to prioritising video content in the 2010s, a new generation of teen stars took over our screens and heading up the charge was Blackwell.
The Texan’s natural aptitude for being funny and relatable - the top traits for anyone aiming to be a digital icon - was never limited by platform as per the pitfall of many a URL influencer. It’s been over a decade since Blackwell first went viral and she has her sights on continuing her global takeover in 2024 - we caught up with the multi-hyphenate to see what’s on the cards for the next 12 months.
Pink bra: Dilara Findikoglu | Mini skirt: Prada | Heels: Prada
You’ve made such an impact on the internet, when did you first feel like you’d cemented yourself as a mainstay of social media?
When Vine died and my ‘career’ didn’t.
I think you’ve moved fluidly across platforms, where some creatives find it hard to translate themselves across different apps, it seems you manage to do it almost effortlessly - is it hard or does it come naturally to you?
I think it comes naturally do me because my medium is video and image and my brand is literally existing so it’s like, what do I even need to figure out how to translate?
Top: Dsquared | Heels: Louboutin
Dress: David Koma | Heels: Jimmy Choo
How do you feel about the changing landscape of online since you were first starting out on Vine and what do you feel is in store for us all in digital spaces?
I like it, everything is imploding and I feel like complete servitude (streaming) is what’s in store for us digitally which is freeing for the ones who don’t/can’t do something like that.
Bodysuit: Ahluwalia | Tights: Versace | Heels: Louboutin
I read in a few interviews when researching for this piece that you have your eyes set on being an actress, what else are your goals in 2024?
Becoming an actor and a successful brand owner, I just released my brand RIQUERA (re-care-uh) last month and that has been very fulfilling.
Pink coat: Versace | Pink skirt: Versace
How has the process been with launching Riquera and what are you plans for the brand?
The process has been placing myself into a position of apprenticeship among my friends who are successful in the fashion industry and turning into a sponge for good advice, I produced everything for the first drop which is a feat in and of itself and i’m excited to do more of that. My plans for Riquera is to created a community of people IRL who resonate with the world of Riquera.
Necklace: Vanessa Baroni
I read you saying that we live in a post-ironic world, where comedy can be found in even the news - we literally had a headline recently about the King’s enlarged prostate, if you can believe it. But do you think it’s a good thing that we’re all going a little hysterical in the face of worse and worse news? Is laughter our way out of all of this?
I mean I don’t know whether it’s good or bad, but I do know it’s entertaining and I love to be entertained. And I don’t know if laughter is our way out of all of this because like are you gonna laugh at war? No, unless you are a sociopath. I think our way out of all of this is seeing each other as one and letting go of this inferiority/superiority complex capitalism has ingrained in our culture.
I feel like people underestimate funny people when it’s truly one of the hardest grifts out there, what keeps you laughing when the going gets tough?
Absurdity, how absurd everything has become.
Words: Gina Tonic | Photography: Yana Van Nuffel | Styling: Rebecca O’Dwyer | Makeup: Georgia Hope
